LETTER: A new hidden fee, courtesy of Albany

Tuesday

Oct 22, 2013 at 1:49 AMOct 22, 2013 at 1:49 AM

New York State-elected officials from the Assembly and Senate signed a bill (effective 12:01 a.m. Sept. 28, 2013) that was then signed by the governor to add a new death fee/tax of $20. This fee, as they call it, must be paid for all burials/cremations that took place after that time.This new burial-transit permit fee cannot be listed on the General Price List. It is considered by New York State Law to be a part of doing business in this state. The state-licensed funeral director who signs the death certificate is responsible for this fee, and it is payable once a month to the NYS Health Department, Bureau of Vital Records, EDRS Unit, 800 North Pearl St., Room 216, Albany, NY 12204. The phone number in Albany is (518) 486-3535, should anyone have questions about this new hidden fee/tax by New York state.They say New York state is friendly to business. What do you think?RONALD JOHN ARNDTRochester